Edward McGowan

[BrightonDCO]

I am looking for any information concerning Edward McGowan, who was born, I believe in Ireland according to the 1881 Scottish census.  He married Margaret Cairns, who was born in Kilmarnock, Scotland about 1830.  Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[aghadowey]

What sort of information are you looking for? Rather than say 'any information' it help to let us know exactly what you already know and what you would like to find.

[BrightonDCO]

I am new to this methodology so please excuse my lack of knowledge.  I am looking for the marriage location or date of Edward to Margaret Cairns or the date of his birth in Ireland. 

[aghadowey]

Now that we know what you are looking for we can help with information, or advice.

1) Edward's date of birth in Ireland-
civil registration of births in Ireland started in 1864 so there will be no birth certificate, Assuming for the moment he was also born c1830 it's also possible that no baptism record exists but to start looking for existing records you'd need to know both the family's religion and where they lived (parish of not actual townland).
You should, however, hopefully be able to narrow down when Edward was born by finding him in Scottish census records. Usually place of birth is 'Ireland' but you might be lucky and havbe the county listed (although is not enough information to locate church records)

2) marriage date and place-
Since Margaret herself was born in Scotland (and Scottish records are available) that would be the logical place to start searching.
If you get the family in all avilable census records you should be able to narrow down the date a bit. However, Scottish birth certificates list date and place of parents' marriage - if any children are born in 1855 there's even more detail on those certificates.
Scotland's People website (www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk) is the place for Scottish certificates and if you check the site it lists what's on Scottish birth, death and marriage certificates, etc.

[BrightonDCO]

Aghadowey,

Thank you for the information and the guidance.  Edward and Margaret Cairns are in ancestry.com but they only give his place of birth as Ireland.  His son's wedding document indicates that they lived at 21 Strand Street and the 1881 Scottish census shows only that Edward was born in Ireland.  Thanks again and good hunting.

[BrightonDCO]

I have been able to find out a little more about Edward McGowone (McGowan) and Margaret Cairns.  Edward was born in Omagh, Ireland and Margaret died before the 1881 Census.  Another Margaret appears on the 1881 census as she is 18 years younger than Edward, while Margaret Cairns was only 5 years his junior according to the earlier censuses.  Margaret Cairns was born in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland.  I have looked on Scotland's people, the Irish sites and family search but I cannot find their wedding information.  Is there somewhere else that I should be looking?

[MattB]

I have been able to find out a little more about Edward McGowone (McGowan) and Margaret Cairns.  Edward was born in Omagh, Ireland and Margaret died before the 1881 Census.  Another Margaret appears on the 1881 census as she is 18 years younger than Edward, while Margaret Cairns was only 5 years his junior according to the earlier censuses.  Margaret Cairns was born in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland.  I have looked on Scotland's people, the Irish sites and family search but I cannot find their wedding information.  Is there somewhere else that I should be looking?

I’m also interested in this line and Arthur McGowan 1852-1952. He was the great grandfather of a friend. There is a family story that there is a link to the Kennedy family of Culzean Castle -a Kennedy daughter running off with the footman or similar: wonder if you or anyone else has heard of that?

Keen to exchange info.

Thanks.